Winners & Losers: Matthew Stafford Traded to the Los Angeles Rams

The NFL offseason has begun in a major way with Matthew Stafford getting traded to the Rams. Here are the winners and losers in the mega-deal.

Jan 31, 2021
matt stafford
Getty

matt-stafford

matt stafford
Getty

matt-stafford

Well, the NFL offseason is here in a major way with the Detroit Lions trading Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal. In return, the Rams are sending the Lions two 1st round picks, a 3rd rounder and Jared Goff. This is pretty shocking because nobody really thought the Rams had enough picks to get a deal done, but here we are. On the other hand, we all knew Stafford wanted out and a trade was coming.

Detroit is dealing QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two future first-round picks, a third-round pick and QB Jared Goff, per sources. Two former No. 1 overall picks trading places in the first blockbuster NFL trade of 2021.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2021

The destination is just a shock, especially since the Rams just made a Super Bowl two years ago with Jared Goff. But the NFL is a cold business and Sean McVay now has Stafford in tow with one of the best defense in the league. That's scary for everyone. As for the Lions, they get some great picks in return as well as Goff, who hasn't been terrible in the league.

This will now surely set the Lions up to take a QB in this upcoming draft. It also now shines the light on Deshaun Watson and where he might end up, especially after we just saw what the compensation was for in this deal. All in all, this NFL offseason is going to be nuts. With the deal now done, we picked out winners and losers from the deal on both sides. 

Winner: Matthew Stafford

Matt Stafford
Image via Getty

The real big winner in this is obviously Matthew Stafford. He goes from the Detroit Lions to a playoff team in the Los Angeles Rams and one of the best coaches in the NFL in Sean McVay. Oh, and the Rams have an insane defense. Stafford and McVay are going to be able to make magic together and are now an immediate contender in the NFC West. What a bold move by the Rams. 

Loser: Jared Goff

Jared Goff Sean McVay Rams Seahawks Seattle 2019
Image via USA Today Sports/Joe Nicholson

What a two year stretch for Jared Goff. From starting the Super Bowl for the Rams in 2018 to now getting dealt in a trade for a QB that they clearly think is better than him. What a cruel reality the NFL is. For Goff, his immediate future isn't super clear because the Lions are surely going to draft a QB in the first round of the draft. A pretty crazy turn of events. 

Winner: Sean McVay

LA Rams Sean McVay Coach 2017 Training Camp
Image via USA Today Sports/Kirby Lee

Sean McVay had Jared Goff looking like a very good QB in the NFL. Now just imagine what he's going to be able to do with Matthew Stafford, who is one of the best QBs in the NFL, yet has never been in a system like this. This is going to be special to watch and the rest of the NFL should be on notice. 

Loser: San Francisco 49ers

jimmy g resized
Image via Getty / Lachlan Cunningham

This is a double loss for the 49ers. Not only did Matthew Stafford just get traded to the division, but the 49ers were reportedly in on the trade talks with the Lions. Now they have to move onto another QB target like Kirk Cousins or pick to stick it out with Jimmy G. Yeesh, those aren't super great options. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are smart guys, but the division just got better and they're going to have to improve their QB situation ASAP. 

Winner: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions logo
Image via USA Today Sports/Kirby Lee

Overall, this is a good move for the Lions. Stafford wanted out and it was time to make a deal. They got plenty of draft capital in return and are now poised to make a run at drafting a QB this spring. The franchise is ready to restart and are starting off on the right foot for the rebuild, even if they had to take on Jared Goff's massive contract. 

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